Curmudgeon's Mantra Or Empirical Fact?

[SeizedBalt]

"They don't make them like they used to!"

 

Is that true?

 

I look at my '97 Transalp, the TDMs on here that go back to the same time, my late GS at the time of its demise etc and I can imagine them going on and on.  They I look at the bikes being produced now, and I'm just not as optimistic.  Same for the cars, actually.

 

And yes, this has all come out as I pondered what to do about my TDM 

 

Is it me? Or do some of this high-ticket items simply not come with the longevity we might have expected 10, 15 or 20 years ago?

 

Whatcha think?

 

(PS: my mistake.  Should have been in Hyde Park.  Could a Mod please shift it over?)

This post was last modified: 14-05-2020, 06:02 AM by SeizedBalt.

[dapleb]

Kinda TDM related SB2. Can leave our move as you prefer.

[SeizedBalt]

Let's pop it in Hyde Park, if that's OK....

 

When I wrote it I was thinking across the board: bikes and cars too, not just an evolution from TDM 850 to Tracer, for example.

 

Ta.

This post was last modified: 14-05-2020, 06:05 AM by SeizedBalt.

[drewpy]

i have bikes from 1979 and the alloy that i polished is still polished and i haven't touched it in years.

the fz from '86 seems a little less durable, but still simple and easy to maintain

tdm build is great and again simple to fix.

 

on modern bikes, they tend to be coated now so have inferior materials IMHO. the only exception is the engines which have great power outputs and tech to make it easier to use the power.

[fixitsan]

I think the use of plastics, much as it keeps construction costs down, is detrimental. After 15 years or more plastic can harden, crack, break and warp EG thermostat housing

[Snowbird]

The air scoops on my xt600e cracked around the mount holes last time I took it for mot propbably through UV damage as it lived outside for years, plastics are a pita!

[ChrisG]

Interesting point on building cheaply.

 

Google suggests a Mk1 TDM was £5279 new in 1991, and an online inflation calculator recons that's the equivalent of £11400 today.  A Tracer 900 can be had for about £9600 new so a TDM in 1991 was nearly 20% more expensive than a Tracer now. 

[SeizedBalt]

Interesting point on building cheaply.

 

Google suggests a Mk1 TDM was £5279 new in 1991, and an online inflation calculator recons that's the equivalent of £11400 today.  A Tracer 900 can be had for about £9600 new so a TDM in 1991 was nearly 20% more expensive than a Tracer now. 

That might be a marketing gamble as well as cheaper production.



I had a play on the Yamaha website to build my own speced Tracer and it came to 13k. And I didnt buy much in top. Once dealers pile in the sales pitch that 9600 might soon be a distant memory!

[ChrisG]

Fair point.  I've never bought new, was it similar back in 1991?  I guess there weren't many optional extras on a Mk1 TDM other than luggage and maybe heated grips.

[bjorge]

Interesting point on building cheaply.

 

Google suggests a Mk1 TDM was £5279 new in 1991, and an online inflation calculator recons that's the equivalent of £11400 today.  A Tracer 900 can be had for about £9600 new so a TDM in 1991 was nearly 20% more expensive than a Tracer now. 

 

Plus, the Tracer has ABS & 50% more power....

[SeizedBalt]

When I look at the gubbins on offer, Im tempted to say it wasnt, but I could be wrong. I bought new once, in 1999.



I could have added plenty of accessories if Id wanted but they were all dealer sold rather than Suzuki sold. So my hp payment would go up and the dealer would get a better outcome but I dont think Suzuki saw any more once Id ordered that TL...